BRAD CAPLAN
2010 - Albums of the Year (Hard Rock/Metal)
Here are my albums of the year. I am not too hung up on the actual order, but there were
some surprises this year. I have never been a huge A7X fan, but their new album was very
diverse and a great metal album. While Alter Bridge (Creed with Myles Kennedy on vocals)
would not be considered metal, they probably released my favorite album of the year. Iron
Maiden's release was similar to their past 2-3 albums, but I am amazed at how they
continue to create great metal in a style that only Maiden can. The new Stone Sour album
is solid and helped hold me over until the next Slipknot release - hoping for late 2011,
but I am guessing not. Godsmack's release was solid, but perhaps a little too much of the
same thing. Ironically, Sully Erna's solo album (Avalon) while not even rock music may
have been a better album.

I don't typically include live albums or DVD's, but the Opeth "Live at the Royal
Albert Hall" was outstanding. In the "non-metal" category, my
favorite album of the year was from Beth Hart "My California". She also sang a
couple of tunes with Slash this year. Wishes for 2011: New albums and tours from
RUSH, Testament, Sonata Arctica, Slipknot, Nightwish, and Lamb of God!!

Worst Album Of 2010: Sonic Syndicate - "We Rule The Night"
Comeback Album Of The Year: Accept - "Blood Of The Nations"
Best Live Show Of The Year: Megadeth/Testament/Exodus
Most Disappointing Album Of The Year: Motorjesus - "Wheels Of Purgatory"
Biggest Metal News - Dio passing

Frank Hill
Album Of The Year: Overkill - Ironbound

Runners Up by the Dozen:
Holy Grail - Crisis in Utopia
Dawn of Silence - Wicked Saint Or Righteous Sinner
Sister Sin - True Sound Of The Underground
Hardcore Superstar - Split Your Lip
Volbeat - Beyond Hell Above Heaven
Orphaned Land - The Never Ending Way of ORwarriOR
Iron Maiden - The Final Frontier
Grand Magus - Hammer of the North
Blind Guardian - At the Edge of Time
Poisonblack - Of Rust and Bones
In This Moment - A Star-Crossed Wasteland
Accept - Blood Of The Nations
Tank  War Machine

VERITAS
1. Dark Tranquility  We Are the Void  Up against Dark Tranquility's back
catalogue this album is another solid entry, but probably not their best. However, up
against other bands, DT are continuously superior.
2. Eluveitie  Everything Remains As It Never Was  I don't know what I'm a
bigger sucker for, Swedish melodic death metal or folk metal with traditional
instruments
3. Avantasia  Angel of Babylon & The Wicked Symphony  Technically two
albums but they're both going to snag the #3 spot on my list. The Wicked Symphony is a bit
stronger, but both of these albums showcase Tobi Sammet's explosive creativity.
4. Melechesh  The Epigenesis  Be on the lookout for my upcoming review of this
black metal adventure.
5. Holy Grail  Crisis in Utopia  This album is a lot of fun; singer James Paul
Luna sounds jut like Halford in his glory days.

Honorable Mention: Kalmah  12 Gauge

Underachievers
1. Masterplan  Time to be King  Particularly disappointing given it marks
vocalist Jorn Lande's return to the band.

2. Equilibrium  Rekreatur  It's surely impossible to top 2004's Turis Fratyr,
but is it time to write these guys off after two subpar releases in a row?
3. Dimmu Borgir  Abrahadabra - Simply underwhelming.